Conservatives protest after election of first openly gay bishop

RACHEL ZOLLAP Religion Writer

Published Thursday, August 07, 2003

MINNEAPOLIS -- Conservative opponents of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop protested Wednesday by boycotting legislative sessions, turning in their convention credentials and dropping to their knees in prayer as one of their leaders denounced his election.

A handful of the more than 800 clergy and lay delegates either walked off the floor of the meeting or collectively stayed away, while at least three of the nearly 300 bishops refused to participate or went home, saying their distraught parishioners needed them.

Other delegates dropped to their knees and prayed as the Rev. Kendall Harmon said in a speech that many were "mourning" the convention's approval of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as New Hampshire's bishop.

"This unilateral action on our part is catastrophic," said Harmon, surrounded by more than 20 supporters in the House of Deputies, a legislative body composed of clergy and lay people.

"We weep for the Episcopal Church and its members. We have made a terrible mistake."

Also Wednesday, the House of Bishops voted to reject a proposal on drafting an official liturgy for same-sex blessing ceremonies.

But by voice vote, they overwhelmingly approved a document saying: "We recognize that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions."

There was disagreement over the significance of the statement, which needs final approval from the House of Deputies.

Bishops nationwide already decide whether to permit same-sex blessing ceremonies in their own dioceses. But gay advocates considered it a significant step, saying the church had never before approved a national document acknowledging such ceremonies take place.

Bishop Robert Ilhoff of Maryland said the statement had little practical effect: "It continues the policy that is in effect in all our dioceses."

But he said he understood why gay advocates would consider it a victory, because it brings the practice "to the surface."

Bishop Keith Ackerman of Quincy, Ill., called it "recognition without approval" that allows bishops to continue to set local policy.

A vote by deputies could come as soon as Thursday.

Robinson was confirmed Tuesday after he was cleared of last-minute misconduct allegations that threatened to delay the vote.

In an interview earlier Wednesday with The Associated Press, Robinson said he hoped his critics would not leave the church, though he disagrees with their view that gay sex violates Scripture.

"I think they're wrong about this," he said. "I think they'll come to know that they are wrong, in this life or the next one."

Robinson said he values diversity within Anglicanism and hoped his critics will too. The Episcopal Church, with 2.3 million members, is the U.S. branch of the 77 million-member global Anglican Communion.

Anglicans in many parts of the world reacted angrily Wednesday to Robinson's confirmation, with some threatening to cut ties with the American church. The Anglicans' spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, appealed for opponents not to act rashly but acknowledged it would inevitably have a "significant impact" on the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The opponents in Minneapolis, however, insisted they remained within the church and were simply rejecting the convention vote. The demonstrations in Minneapolis were not coordinated and their scope was difficult to measure.